DS Smith’s new Bag-In-Box solution minimizes plastic waste

28 Aug 2018 --- DS Smith’s plastics division, Rapak, has created a new Bag-In-Box solution with an easy-to-use tap system, longer shelf-life and stockability credentials. The new packaging is the result of a collaboration between UK supplier of frozen drinks Polar Krush and Rapak with the aim of transitioning its packaging of frozen drink concentrates from single-use plastic bottles to a more sustainable alternative. The collaboration believes that the new Bag-In-Box solution will reduce the amount of plastic waste going into landfills five times over.

With plastic use being a worldwide issue, Polar Krush is implementing environmental strategies to help reduce the increasing levels of single-use plastic globally. It have joined forces with DS Smith Plastics, Rapak to switch from plastic bottles to 10L Bag-in-Box.

Following the development work carried out with the Rapak team, Polar Krush is notes that it is delighted to switch all of its range into one type of bag and one type of box to suit all types of customer needs. This solution removes hard plastics, replacing them with a recyclable, collapsible bag and a cardboard box.

When the 10L flexible bag is empty, it is easily detached and replaced with a new Bag-in-Box and then can be completely recycled, making it kinder to the environment than any other frozen drinks packaging systems.

The new Bag-in-Box also brings the following benefits:

• Easy to use: the tap system on the bag makes it easier for the customer to fill their dispenser manually, or to connect directly into the frozen drinks dispenser via an automatic filling system.
• Longer shelf-life: the Bag-in-Box keeps the opened concentrate fresh up to 12 weeks longer than plastic bottles.
• Easier to store underneath the machine, taking away the need to store bottles.
• Stackability: making shipping more efficient and reducing the carbon footprint.

Michael Reid, Polar Krush Sales Director, comments: “The new system has been very well received by our customers who are keen to reduce the impact of single-use packaging on the environment. Not only is the system easier to use, it falls in line with the broader Polar Krush policy to remove harmful single-use plastics from the brand.”

 Polar Krush, based in Northumberland, claims to be the fastest growing frozen drinks supplier in the UK and are rapidly expanding internationally. The company believes that the manufacturing efficiency of the new Bag-in-Box system will support the company’s success and their ambitious growth plans. Its environmental initiatives, apart from switching to Bag-in-Box, include recyclable and reusable cups and straws projects.

Central to the brand values are using natural flavoring and colors in the products and in 2017 Polar Krush was the first to switch a full range to sugar-free versions. The new recipe is sweetened naturally with stevia leaf, avoiding any harmful artificial sweeteners, and offers a guilt-free treat to help combat the rising obesity crisis.

Edited by Joshua Poole